FRANK LAMPARD has urged Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to make up his mind over a new manager and stick with it – because the chopping and changing is damaging the club.

Rafa Benitez has been left under no illusions that his “interim” job is nothing more than that and Lampard feels his successor should be given a proper opportunity to return Chelsea to winning ways.

“Whatever the situation, it would be nice if a manager could come in and have a good crack at some consistency and stay in the job,” said Lampard.

“We all understand we’ve had some interim managers and the fans and the club would probably be happier if we could get a manager who could stay for more than half a season.”

Former boss Jose Mourinho is very much in the frame and, while Lampard was reluctant to endorse his appointment publicly, he was forthright on pressing the qualities which he feels would make the Real Madrid manager perfect for the Chelsea job.

“Jose’s an absolutely fantastic manager, one of the legends of the Champions League,” said Lampard. “There’s no doubt about his credentials. Whatever club he goes to, he will be successful.”

Roman Abramovich is known for changing managers

It would be nice if a manager could come in and have a good crack at some consistency and stay in the job

Frank Lampard

Benitez will be a man existing in his own bubble tomorrow at Anfield – closing himself off from the cheers of The Kop as well as the jeers from his own club’s fans.

The Spaniard goes back to Liverpool for the first time as a manager, to the club where he won the Champions League and the FA Cup and made himself a cult hero. But Benitez, who still lives on Merseyside, will focus on the job at hand.

I’m a professional,” he said. “I’m committed to Chelsea. I will try to win and I’m sure the Liverpool fans will appreciate that.

“But I have a lot of good friends and good memories there, so it will be emotional. My home and family is there. I am really proud of all I did at Liverpool .”